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On behalf of Cumberland County Public Schools, I would like to welcome everyone to the 2018-2019 school year. It promises to be a year of change, innovation, and excitement! We are pleased to have Mr. Eugene Williams join the CuCPS family as the Cumberland High School principal. He is eager to get started and build relationships with our students, staff, families, and community.

As we prepare our students to exceed expectations of the Profile of a Virginia Graduate, we are fortunate to have been awarded a High School Innovation Planning Grant. In addition, we have expanded our course offerings and partnerships and appointed Ms. Kathryn Garrett as our Career Development Specialist. Through the planning grant, personalized learning plans, 5 C (Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Creativity, and Citizenship) Rubrics, and work-based learning credits will be developed so that each and every high school student will have meaningful workplace learning experiences and the necessary skills to be life ready.

In order to expand options for preparing students for careers, course offerings--such as Teachers for Tomorrow, Social Entrepreneurship, and Cosmetology--have been added at the high school. These courses will provide students the skills to start their own businesses right here in Cumberland if they choose. Teachers for Tomorrow will even allow us to “grow our own” future teachers!

Middle school students had a variety of summer opportunities available to them ranging from Marching Band Camp, the Longwood Summer TAG program, the Truth Empowerment Summit, and the STEAM Health Science Lab Camp. Summer school offered hands-ons experiences such as archery, healthy eating, swimming, and numerous outdoor events. This upcoming school year, the student team from the Truth Empowerment Summit is prepared to implement their plan of promoting a culture of lifting each other up and combating bullying.

At the elementary school, Pamela Stepko has been named the new assistant principal. After a successful summer pilot, Wagilabs, which is a “kidpreneurship” experience, will be continued and expanded. Mrs. Gills and Mrs. Stepko have added a Student Leadership team and STEM Lab. Family engagement will be an emphasis, with planned events including STEM Innovation Night, an Arts Expo, Lunch and Learns, an EdCamp, and Stop, Pop and Play. Recently, students of all ages, working with their families and staff members, participated in Bathroom Makeovers.

As a division, our focus will be on preparing our students to be life ready by implementing the framework of the Profile of a Virginia Graduate; on promoting equity in regards to all students at CuCPS having the access and opportunities that students anywhere else have; and in encouraging family and community engagement. In order for CuCPS to be successful, it truly takes us all working together. CuCPS family and friends -- ​Welcome to the 2018-2019 school year!